I appreciate individuals who are transparent. I trust them because of their daily decision to be transparent regardless of what others might think.

Think On This

We don’t have to agree with someone to trust them.

Tell me the truth and I will respect you. Ultimately, it takes the power of grace to courageously tell the truth. Grace is the power to do what we can’t do on our own. And, sometimes telling the truth is the hardest thing to do.

Truth is what inspires and makes a long-lasting difference.

It seems to me that telling lies for the “greater good” is accepted and approved as this era’s new norm. But. It’s one of the most damaging things we can do in our personal and public relationships.

I love to interview individuals who are doing what matters. Most of these individuals have experienced big challenges which often includes personal struggles. Their story is powerful when they tell the truth about the things which have become the catalyst to be and do as God purposed.

It Happens

I interviewed some people during various sermon series in the churches I’ve served. One gentleman, an influencer, told about making a series of poor choices which harmed himself and those around him. He ended his story describing the moment he gave himself to God and the steps he took to start a new life.

Most people knew him as influential leader but did not know about his past. His transparency inspired our whole faith community.

I almost canceled interviewing him. It would have been a loss for all of us.

The thing is . . . a few weeks before . . . I interviewed an influencer who lied. I still don’t understand the individual’s “why” for their choice to stand before all of us and lie about what they were doing. There was no reason to hide the truth. There never is.

An email released less than twenty-four hours later announced the “good news” of the actual truth. Of course, I did not receive the email; however, several others did. I received multiple calls, texts, and emails from disappointed and disillusioned people. The individual did not return my call and has never to my knowledge “owned” it.

The lack of honesty damaged the faith community’s trust. It took time to move through the impact of this influencer’s stated story versus the real story.

It seems to me that the brokenness in this era’s systems– church, medicine, law, education, business, and all others will begin to heal when influencers choose to be transparent in truth. I know this sounds naive. I’m aware there are strategies put in place to win for the “greater good.” But. History proves transparency and truth wins.

It begins with you and I practicing transparency and truth in our personal life, home, and workplace.

So. Joshua and I are beginning a series of tablethink podcasts, interviewing people who are making a difference in their communities. In fact, we’ve interviewed Nancy Carlisle, who helps to coordinate Backpack Buddies and Linda Hernandez-Munguia, Community Services Outreach Coordinator at Hoover Elementary. These two are powerhouses in serving our community and told their story with transparency and truth. ~ We will be featuring Backpack Buddies at our tablethink open house on December 16.

Anyway. The podcasts will be released after tablethink launches in January. We’re finding people who are transparent and will tell the truth to inspire us to make a difference. Because. It matters.

The premise of transparency and truth comes from Jesus, who demonstrated how to live the best life.

Jesus explained, “I am the Way, I am the Truth, and I am the Life. No one comes next to the Father except through union with me. To know me is to know my Father too.

These words of Jesus can be discussed forever. But for now–it’s to be realized that binding our life with God through the power of grace gives us the ability to be transparent in Christ–who is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. This is the advent message today and every. single. day–Kerrie